By What Authority? Part III by Robert Hugh Benson is a compelling historical novel set during the turbulent Elizabethan England, a time marked by intense religious persecution. The story delves into the conflict between Catholics and Protestants, illustrating the deep divisions in society. Part III focuses on the spiritual crisis and moral dilemmas faced by the characters as they navigate the dangers of their religious convictions. Catholic recusants risk everything to practice their faith in secret, attending hidden Masses and protecting priests in hiding. The novel explores themes of faith, loyalty, and betrayal, with characters undergoing conversion and redemption as they struggle with obedience to authority, both religious and political. The tension between the Anglican Church and Catholicism is ever-present, and Benson paints a vivid picture of court intrigue and the martyrdom that some must endure in their unwavering stand for their beliefs during this critical historical period.